Arctic Race of Norway and Telenor have concluded a new three-year partnership agreement
February 25 th 2025 - 19:06 [GMT + 1]
Arctic Race of Norway and Telenor have concluded a new three-year partnership agreement that guarantees excellent mobile conditions for TV broadcasts, organizers, and spectators at cycling races, while also providing residents with a sustainable quality mobile network after the race ends.
The Arctic Race of Norway will take place this year from August 7th to 10th. Telenor plans to invest between 25 and 30 million kroner in the development and modernization of approximately 50 new and existing base stations along the four stages of this year's race. These improvements and developments will be sustainable.
The stages of this year's Arctic Race of Norway:
- Kvæfjord > Harstad
- Lavangen > Sørreisa
- Senja > Målselv
- Tromsø
"We are very proud to be able to renew the agreement with the Arctic Race of Norway, one of the largest and most important sporting events in Norway. This partnership meets a key objective for Telenor, which is to build robust and secure infrastructure in northern Norway. Strengthening the mobile network along the route increases the safety of participants and others involved in the race," says Birgitte Engebretsen, CEO of Telenor Norway.
Development of local communities
The Arctic Race of Norway has a stated goal of contributing to the positive development of the local communities that the race passes through. "Thanks to the agreement with Telenor, we ensure sustainable improvements to important infrastructure that residents and local businesses can benefit from even after the cycling race ends," says Knut Eirik Dybdal, CEO of the Arctic Race of Norway. Since the first edition of the cycling race in 2013, cyclists have visited all regions of northern Norway. The agreement with Telenor has therefore had an impact on the entire region.
Coverage director Bjørn Amundsen emphasizes that the Arctic Race of Norway is an important part of Telenor's national work to connect the country with a world-class mobile network. "Thanks to the agreement, Telenor will ensure good mobile coverage for the public, organizers, and others who need fast mobile coverage in connection with the race. And with the upgrade to ultra-fast 5G in some places, entirely new opportunities open up for private customers and the business market," says Amundsen.
More than 50 new initiatives planned
Over the past 12 to 13 years, Telenor has invested nearly 250 million kroner to ensure good mobile coverage and capacity in the municipalities where the Arctic Race of Norway has been organized. This has contributed to a massive upgrade of the digital network along the routes.
Amundsen estimates that investments along the route this year will cost Telenor 25 to 30 million kroner: "By August, Telenor will implement approximately 50 initiatives to improve mobile coverage, increase capacity and 5G, particularly in Harstad, Kvæfjord, Ibestad, Lavangen, Sørreisa, Senja, and Målselv. During the first stage from Borkenes to Harstad, we are performing 15 upgrades to 4G and 5G. We are also building a new base station at Tennvassåsen. Senja will benefit from 5G a year ahead of the initial plan due to the Arctic Race of Norway. In Tromsø, we have completed the deployment of 5G," says Amundsen.